MEDICINE LODGE, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires burning across parts of Kansas and Oklahoma (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

The Kansas Forest Service says a wildfire that crossed into the state from Oklahoma earlier this week is considered the largest in Kansas history and one of the largest ever in the U.S.

The wildfire has burned at least 620 square miles in Oklahoma and Kansas.

The service said officials are looking at the damage in Barber County, Kansas, to determine if it meets the threshold for a FEMA disaster declaration, which would provide public assistance for damaged public infrastructure.

In Oklahoma, officials said in a release Friday there’s been very little growth in the wildfire near the town of Alva, thanks in part to “exceptional firefighting” combined with lighter winds and lower temperatures.

10:15 a.m.

A Kansas livestock official says the wildfire that scorched hundreds of square miles in Oklahoma and southern Kansas has displaced cattle and destroyed miles of fencing.

Todd Domer, spokesman for the Kansas Livestock Association, said Friday the most immediate problem for Kansas ranchers affected by the fire in Barber and Comanche counties is locating cattle that escaped when fences burned. He says ranchers are also working to figure out how many cattle may have died.

The KLA is raising funds to help replace the fencing, which he estimates covered tens of thousands of miles. He says hay donations have been so swift and numerous there’s no longer a need.

Domer also says there would also have been a lot of newborn calves this time of year that may have either been separated from their mothers or been killed in the fire.

——

Meteorologists say the weather conditions could make it hard for crews to make headway against a wildfire that has scorched sparsely-populated areas of Oklahoma and Kansas.

The National Weather Service says wind gusts of up to 30 mph are expected to last from Friday morning through the afternoon.

Meteorologist Bill Turner says the big challenge will be keeping the fire from spreading again once the south wind picks up. He says the wind could blow sparks onto unburnt land.

The blaze has consumed at least 620 square miles since starting Tuesday in Oklahoma and spreading into Kansas. Kansas Incident Management Team spokeswoman Kathleen Fabrizius says officials plan to fly over the area Friday to evaluate the damage.

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY – One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. on Friday in Franklin County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported semi a 2005 Freightliner semi driven by Christopher William Cole, 44, Troy, AL., was westbound on Kansas 68 eight miles east of Ottawa approaching a bridge when it left the roadway.

The truck overturned and came to rest on the embankment, partially in a creek bed and caught fire.

Cole was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

No additional details were released.

HARVEY COUNTY- Three people were injured in an accident just after 12-noon on Friday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Express driven by Nicholas J. Yagel, 33, Hutchinson, was northbound on Interstate 135 two miles southeast of Hesston.

The vehicle was behind a 2005 Honda Odyssey driven by Catherine M. Sutterfield, 21, Rose Hill, that had slowed to make a U-turn through the median and in front of the Chevy.

The Chevy collided with the Honda and traveled into the ditch.

Yagel was transported to St. Francis Medical Center.

Sutterfield and a passenger Vicky L. Sutterfield, 63, Rose Hill, were transported to Newton Medical Center.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

MANHATTAN– Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating an alleged kidnapping.

Just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, police in Manhattan received an emergency call about a woman who had been dragged by her vehicle after attempting to flee an attacker who was not known to her.

Police responded to the 500 block of Richards Drive in Manhattan and found that several bystanders were assisting a 19-year-old woman who had received non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released, however, the injuries were significant. This victim’s personal information has been withheld due to the nature of this crime.

Officers found that sometime after 11:00 p.m. the woman was approached by an unknown hispanic male while she attempted to start her car while in a parking lot on Richards Drive.

This suspect took her mobile phone and forced her to move to the passenger seat of her vehicle. The man then sat in the driver’s seat and began to drive out of the parking lot, according to police.

At that time the 19-year-old victim attempted to flee her vehicle, however, was unable to completely exit through the passenger side door and fell to the ground while a portion of her body was still inside. She was dragged for approximately 800 feet while the male suspect traveled south on Richards Drive and then west onto Fort Riley Blvd. when she was able to free herself. Bystanders then tended to her and contacted police. The suspect fled the scene and law enforcement later recovered the vehicle in the Redbud Estates neighborhood.

 

The Riley County Police Department is currently seeking information on the unknown heavyset hispanic male suspect who is said to stand between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches. He has a medium accent and possible facial hair. This suspect was last seen wearing a maroon shirt with black shorts and thick black framed glasses. He was wearing black shoes and a baseball cap (white front and a black back) at the time of this crime.

If you have information about this suspect or this investigation please contact the Riley County Police Department or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Those using the crime stoppers service can become eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 while remaining anonymous.

RCPD encourages the community not to apprehend this suspect as he may be considered dangerous and potentially violent. To report suspicious activity please contact RCPD at 785-537-2112 or 911 in an emergency.

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — A Girl Scout and two adult troop leaders have been hurt after a sport utility vehicle plowed into their cookie sales booth in southeast Kansas.

The Joplin Globe (https://bit.ly/22L0ABf ) reports that the crash happened Sunday in Baxter Springs after an 81-year-old driver lost control of the SUV. The girl who was hit was flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, with serious injuries.

Police said in a written statement that the troop leaders were treated for minor injuries. One of the leaders had tried to pull the girl out of harm’s way when she saw the SUV coming but was struck herself before she could reach the child.

No other information was immediately available.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — At least two students have been injured after a school bus collided with a car east of Topeka.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the bus was transporting about 15 middle and high school students when the crash happened around 7 a.m. at a U.S. 40 intersection.

Shawnee Heights superintendent Marty Stessman says one student was taken to a hospital with possible leg pain. Another student also complained of injuries and was taken home by a parent.

Stessman says all other students were examined by school medical personnel.

The passenger and driver of the car also were loaded into an ambulance.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The current President of Kansas State University Kirk Schulz is leaving Manhattan.

Schulz posted the following message on K-State’s website Friday

“K-State Faculty, Staff, and Students,

Earlier today, I accepted an offer to serve as the next President of Washington State University.

I will continue to serve as K-State President through mid-May, and will transition to Washington State in mid-June. The Kansas Board of Regents will conduct a search for an Interim President as soon as possible.

Noel and I have thoroughly enjoyed our 7 years at Kansas State — it has been an exciting time to be a Wildcat and a part of the K-State Family. Being part of transforming our multiple campuses has been the highlight of my career in higher education.

I will continue to communicate monthly with the K-State community with Letters to Campus as we finish up the 2016 Spring Semester.

With Purple Pride,

Kirk”

 

Welcome Kirk H. Schulz as @wsu’s 11th president! #WSU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/j4hXbuZSHY

— WSU News (@WSUNews) March 25, 2016

 

A message from President Schulz: https://t.co/53ZOaaUtn0 — Kirk H. Schulz (@kstate_pres) March 25, 2016

SALINE COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a suspect in connection with an aggravated assault with a BB-gun.

On Thursday police officers were sent to a home in the 600 block on North 12 Street in Salina just after 1 p.m. on a report of threats made with a gun, according to Captain Mike Sweeney.

When they arrived, Franklin Price, 55, tried to prevent officers from entering the home by holding the door shut.

Officers were able to make entry and learned that Price had forced his way into the home and forced a 46-year-old woman into a corner of a room and pointed a handgun at her and a 24-year-old man.

Price was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of aggravated assault, obstruction, and domestic battery.

By MEGAN HART

The House and Senate have sent Gov. Sam Brownback a bill that would remake juvenile justice by reducing punishments for less serious offenses.

Senate Bill 367 would set limits on youth incarceration and probation, direct state officials to come up with a consistent system of consequences for technical parole violations and reduce the use of juvenile detention, among other changes.

Supporters charged that the state was locking up too many low-level young offenders without evidence that doing so improved their outcomes. Some of the bill’s provisions came from recommendations by a workgroup of legislators and staff in the juvenile justice system, as well as researchers from the Pew Charitable Trust.

Senator Greg Smith, an Overland Park Republican, said the House extended some time limits, clarified that programs for young offenders should be evidence-based and added a “lockbox” provision to ensure that savings from reduced incarceration rates would go toward community-based programs.

“Some of them are good amendments that I think made the bill even stronger,” he said. The bill “provides a shining example for the rest of the United States of what we can do in juvenile justice.”

The House passed the version of the bill that emerged from conference committee on a 118-5 vote. The Senate passed it unanimously, 40-0.

If Brownback signs the bill as written, the courts have a short timeline to comply. All members of a 19-member committee to oversee juvenile justice reform would have to be appointed by Sept. 1 and meet within two months, and the Kansas Supreme Court and Department of Corrections would need to develop a system of graduated responses to technical parole violations by Jan. 1.

The bill passed with the following changes:

• The Department of Corrections could only contract for 50 beds in group homes, and would have to first contract with homes that have low recidivism rates. Department of Corrections spokesman Adam Pfannenstiel said he believes that number will be “more than adequate.”
• Case length limits wouldn’t apply to youths convicted of the most serious offenses, and courts would have the option to extend jurisdiction until a young offender’s 23rd birthday. Youths who violate the conditions of their juvenile sentences still could be sentenced as adults under extended jurisdiction. The original bill ended extended jurisdiction and limited case length for almost all offenses.
• The court can extend probation for “good cause.” The normal probation limit for low- and moderate-risk offenders would be six months, with a nine-month limit for youths at a high risk of reoffending. The court could extend probation by one month for low-risk offenders, three months for moderate-risk ones and six months for high-risk ones.
• Diversion programs will last six months rather than four months.
• The maximum time youths can spend in detention was extended from 30 days in the original bill to 45 days. Currently, there is no limit.
• Probation officers can issue a warrant, rather than a summons, if a youth had technical parole violations and was determined to be likely to place property at risk. The bill originally would have allowed a warrant only if the youth was a danger to others.
• The duties of the committee overseeing juvenile justice reform would include looking into the idea of granting youths speedy trial rights, investigating gaps in the system and seeking alternative placements for youths in group homes.

Megan Hart is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC

 

 

BUTLER COUNTY – One person died in an accident just after 2a.m. on Friday in Butler County.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority reported a 2007 Toyota RAV 4 driven by Charles Addison Shoenhair, 31, College Station, TX, was northbound on the Kansas Turnpike just north of the Andover exit.

The vehicle hit horses in the road.

Shoenhair was pronounced dead at the scene.

Travel on the turnpike was re-opened just after 5 a.m.  The accident remains under investigation.

WICHITA –According to the website of the Islamic Society of Wichita (ISW), the ISW has scheduled a fundraising event featuring Sheik Monzer Talib. The fundraiser is to be held at the Muslim Community Center. It is sponsored by the Islamic Society of Wichita and scheduled from 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m, according to a media release from the office of Congressman Mike Pompeo.

In response to this scheduled event, Pompeo issued the following statement:

“I am profoundly disappointed and disturbed by both the content and the timing of the Islamic Society of Wichita’s decision to bring Sheik Monzer Talib to Wichita, Kansas. On one of the most holy days on the Christian calendar, and only days after radical Islamic extremists murdered dozens of innocents of many faiths in Brussels, Belgium, they chose to bring a Hamas-connected sheik to their community center here in Wichita. They should cancel his appearance.

In response to Pompeo, the Islamic Society’s School issued an alert to parents of students on Thursday. “Due to the concerning media statement regarding planned protest and the potential for security concerns and a possibility of a protest tomorrow during Friday prayers, we will dismiss school at 11:00am to err on the side of caution.

At AIS we put student safety first and it’s our top priority. We rely on Allah and He is the best of protectors.”

“I have, for years and continuously, implored leaders of the Islamic faith here in Kansas and around the world to stand with leaders of all faiths in condemning terrorist attacks by radical Islamic groups,” said Pompeo. “I can find not a mention of the Brussels murders on ISW’s website, facebook page or twitter account. This is unconscionable. ISW and its leaders should use this time to condemn this attack instead of celebrating Sheik Taleb.”

“But worse, now, in my own community, rather than make clear that violence in the name of Allah is always wrong, the Islamic Society of Wichita has chosen the day, when millions of Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross, to bring a cleric who has claimed his commitment to Hamas, to lead their services. Hamas is a designated terrorist organization that has the destruction of Israel as its core tenet and terror and murder as its core operating principle. This decision by ISW is horribly misguided and puts at risk much work that has been done to improve relations among members of all faiths here in Kansas.

“I am a passionate believer in the First Amendment. I acknowledge and support ISW’s right to hold this service with Sheik Talib. But having this right to do so does not mitigate the harm that will be done to our community if the ISW leaders move forward with this event on Holy Friday. They will be responsible for the damage among religious faiths that is sure to follow.

“Mr. Talib has a long history of association with radical Islam. He was named as a co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism finance case in which millions of American dollars were funneled to the terrorist organization Hamas. He was also a member of an organization that advocated for the destruction of Israel and is on videotape affirming his allegiance to Hamas that has killed thousands of Westerners.

“The leaders of the ISW surely know what they are doing in bringing this hateful man to help them raise money on this day so important to Christians. While I do not know their motives, I do know that they should reconsider. The ISW can help everyone focus on uniting all faiths against such barbarism – this scheduled event does exactly the opposite.

“I call on the Islamic Society of Wichita to show its commitment to uniting believers of all faiths and to cancel the appearance of Sheik Monzer Talib.”

Pompeo serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Select Committee on Benghazi. He is a graduate of West Point and an Army veteran.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on the suicide bombings this week in Brussels (all times local):

12 p.m.

A U.S. official says at least two American citizens have been confirmed killed in this week’s attacks in Brussels.

The announcement comes as Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting the city to express his condolences to the Belgian people.

Speaking after meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, Kerry said the “United States is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those cruelly taken from us, including Americans, and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks.”

He did not give a specific number but a senior official said the families of two Americans had been informed of their deaths in Tuesday’s attacks. The official, who was not authorized to speak to the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not have further details.